◆ Kunz Family making plans for the 2020 event.

Ten years ago, Bart and Denice Kunz began nurturing an idea.

It was springtime in Star Valley, and as flowers began to bud, so an idea bloomed in their minds. A sort of healing balm to the ache in their hearts.

The previous October, their son, 33-year-old Jeremy, lost his life in a terrible accident during the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay. In the wake of that grief were a wife, three children, four sisters, numerous nieces and nephews – and his mom and dad. Then in the spring of 2010, as people began hiking and running on the roads and trails of what is called “the star of all valleys,” the Kunz family talked of Jeremy’s zest for life.

The next thing they knew they were planning a half marathon in his memory – to inspire others to live life to the fullest. Any proceeds would go to charity.

They knew Jeremy would love it.

“We started driving around [asking] ‘Where would we do this? How do we do this?’” Denice recalled. “It’s such a big thing to do, and we’re just a family.”

They approached various Star Valley businesses and the town of Thayne. Sponsors came from everywhere – including individuals. They decided the race would be held on the second Saturday in July, closest to Jeremy’s birthday on July 12.

So on July 9, 2011, the Star Valley Half Marathon was born. Denice said they would have been thrilled with 50 runners. They got over 300.

Today, the Star Valley Half Marathon is a yearly event held the second Saturday of July and is anticipated by runners throughout the area, the country and even places like Canada and Australia. And the Kunz family wants everyone to know plans for a 2020 race are in the works – whether it be on the road coming out of Bridger-Teton as usual or through a virtual plan.

Speaking with SVI Media this week, Denice said she, Bart and the family are working with Lincoln County Economic Development and the town of Thayne to keep the tradition going – but safely for all involved, Denice emphasized.

“They’re very encouraging,” Denice said of both entities. “The race will happen, but it may be virtually.”

Denice explained that if the race is done virtually, it will be exciting and innovative, but as plans are in development she couldn’t offer details quite yet. She emphasized to SVI and all the race’s supporters – businesses and runners – that these details are forthcoming in the next couple weeks.

Continuing, Denice wanted to thank the Town of Thayne for the yearly support. “The town has been great. The back of [our] shirts [is] full of sponsors. They’re a lot of kind people in the valley who help us. We want to thank all the individuals and businesses who year after year support the race. We couldn’t put it on without them. People are so encouraging about it. They love it. I foresee it going on and on.”

In fact, during the SVI Media interview, Denice realized she and Bart have grandchildren who have grown up with what you might call “the family race.” There are now 32 members of the Kunz family.

“Our grandkids have the experience of this that not every kid gets and they love it. It’s a good way to grow up, having a big family service project.”

And a service project it is. Each year, proceeds are given out to several needy families – whose names are never released.

This year, Denice is a little emotional about the race. Not only are they figuring out the best safe way to hold it, but it also will be the last for she and Bart until 2022. Bart and Denice leave in August for a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 18 months. They have been assigned to serve in the Germany Frankfurt Mission.

But again Denice wanted to emphasize to everyone – the race will go on! “We want everyone to come in 2021 because the kids all know their jobs and they do them. It’ll happen.”

And somehow whether on the trail or virtually, this year as in years past, runners will see photos of Jeremy where he always loved to be – in the outdoors with his family. To his family, each sign is like Jeremy saying, “Just keep going. You can do it. I’ll be here with you. Let’s do it together.”

For Denice and Bart, standing at that finish line each year and welcoming in runner after runner is a reminder that everyone can do hard things.

“If you can do a half marathon,” Denice said, “you know you can do anything. It gives you confidence to tackle the other hard things that will come. We’re in this together, and we need to be there for each other.”
For more information on the 2020 Star Valley Half Marathon, see starvalleyhalfmarathon.com. Also keep in tune to SVI Media for more announcements on this year’s race.